Licensing a Likeness

Peter Skolnik, Esq.: Of Counsel, Lowenstein Sandler, LLP

Peter Skolnik concentrates his practice in the areas of media and entertainment law, First Amendment law, copyrights, trademarks and trade secrets, and complex civil litigation.  He advises and litigates around the country for high tech companies, publishers, broadcasters, authors, artists and athletes, literary estates and arts organizations. Mr. Skolnik represented the Estate of Vladimir Nabokov successfully in a highly celebrated case involving infringement of the copyright to Lolita; successfully defended David Chase, creator of The Sopranos, through litigation and trial concerning early development of the enormously successful television series; and defended filmmaker Jamie Johnson against an invasion of privacy suit arising from his award-winning documentary for HBO, Born Rich, in which Mr. Skolnik appears.  He has successfully negotiated contract matters for, among others, actress Ginnifer Goodwin, and prima ballerina Suzanne Farrell.  Mr. Skolnik also litigated on behalf of Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo to halt infringements of its trademark in Japan, and mounted an effective First Amendment pro bono defense of cult expert Rick Ross, in defamation litigation brought by Landmark Education concerning criticisms of Landmark's “Forum” that appear on Ross's web site. Peter is the President of the New Jersey Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts (NJVLA) and Chair of the New Jersey Media Lawyers Association (NJMLA).

Todd Schefflin: Director A&R/Licensing, Missing Link Music, LLC, Artist, The JT Project

As Senior A&R, Todd has successfully signed over 60 credited writers, producers, and artists to Missing Link's roster and has acquired copyrights from artists such as J. Cole, Drake, Lil Wayne, Jill Scott, Flo-Rida, Anthony Hamilton, Robin Thicke, Ludacris, The Game, Fred Hammond, and Marvin Sapp among many others. He has placed music through various forms of media including feature films, television, and new media. Through his strong relationships with the copyright and royalty departments of all the major record labels, he ensures that all Mechanical licenses are properly handled and that all Missing Link clients receive their royalties through a proper pay through pipeline. His A&R and research techniques have been vital to the Business Affairs team when assessing catalog acquisition, quoting synchronization requests, and issuing vendors synchronization licenses. Through these efforts, he has built a plethora of relationships with major label A&R's, artist managers, production managers, and music supervisors. Todd passionately enjoys both the creative aspects of A&R and the administrative duties involved in licensing which makes him an invaluable member of the Missing Link Music team. Todd says, “Music is the highest form of communication. If the music is true, people will listen."

Stephanie Furgang Adwar, Esq.: Partner, Furgang & Adwar, LLP

Stephanie Furgang Adwar is a founding partner of Furgang & Adwar, LLP. She brings over 23 years of experience in both transactional and litigation matters in entertainment, trademark, unfair competition, and copyright law. She represents a wide variety of clients in the entertainment field, including independent film productions, screenwriters, producers, actors, comedians, authors, performing artists, musicians, independent record labels, music publishing companies, and television production companies as well as obtaining, maintaining, and protecting the firm's clients' complex intellectual property rights, from licensing and other transactions through litigation. In 2013, she was appointed to the part-time position of Acting Village Justice of the Village of Suffern, New York, then reappointed in 2014. Judge Adwar is the first female justice in the 218-year history of Suffern. Ms. Adwar has remained deeply committed to improving knowledge of entertainment law among both attorneys and entertainment industry leaders. She has directed the Continuing Legal Education (CLE) program for the Cutting Edge Music Festival in New Orleans and judged both NYU's Mobil Awards for excellence in film production and Cardozo Law School's BMI Moot Court Competition. Ms. Adwar serves as Communications Chair on the Governing Board of the American Bar Association's Forum on Entertainment and Sports Industries and has, in the past, served as its Membership Chair and Co-Sponsorship Chair. She serves on the Board of Directors for The Colleagues Theatre Company, a not-for-profit theater group, on the Advisory Board for the International Music Festival Conference (IMFCON), and as a panelist for the leading provider of international music contests, We Are Listening.